Local residents in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, North Yorkshire, are set to benefit from new and improved sports facilities after a £600,000 scheme was given the green light.

Reeth and District Community Sports Club's plans include a new pavilion and floodlit multi-use games area, as well as an overhaul of current facilities, after securing funding from a variety of sources. The Football Foundation and Sport England have contributed £344,444 and £151,892 respectively, while more than £35,000 has been generated by the local community. Local authority support has also been received.

Club chair Steve Porter said: "We believe these facilities will lead to greater active participation and will extend the sports range far beyond the established football and cricket. "And with the facilities open from 10am until 10pm it will mean people of all ages and abilities can access sport without having to make a 50-mile (80km) round trip to the nearest large town."

Preliminary work is now underway on the scheme, which is expected to take around 34 weeks to complete.